Problems with bike. What would you do? Trade in or fix?

trickeyja
trickeyja Posts: 202
edited September 2009 in Road buying advice
I took my Allez Elite to an LBS today (there are 4/5 in Cheltenham).

Yesterday my left shifter broke: http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=12649590
Today I noticed a dent in the top tube. I don't know how long it's been there but I hadn't spotted it before. I have no idea how it has happened. It's about 2cm long and 1cm wide, probably 1/4 to 1/2 cm deep, and is in the middle of the top tube.

Anyway I asked first of all about the dent. I was advised that since it was in the middle of the aluminium tube not close to a weld, it wasn't a structural defect (not under warranty), however it has damaged the value of the frame and I should keep an eye out for any cracks propagating from it.

I then asked about the shifter; they managed to remove the cable, but the shifter still doesn't work. They said I should take it back to the original purchase place and send it off for warranty (the LBS I bought it from doesn't open on a Sunday). I've had the bike just over a year and done about 5k miles.

I then enquired how much I would get for the bike in part exchange. I am thinking of getting a fast tourer or audax bike anyway so I can do some longer tours. I would get £275 for the bike in part exchange (it cost £700). I will also enquire whether I would get anything for a 2005 Hardrock Pro which I have grown out of.

Bearing in mind the dented tube, would you:
-See if the shifter can be repaired under warranty and keep the road bike?
-Part exchange the road bike for a new tourer?
-Fix the road bike and buy a tourer as well?

I am really grateful for any advice :)

Comments

  • desweller
    desweller Posts: 5,175
    The second hard market for bikes is pretty active, so I'd be tempted to wait until you know if the shifter can be repaired under warranty. If it can, you could get the bike fixed, sell it, and wait until after Christmas and see if you can pick up a bargain in the sales.

    The above obviously is no good if you were hoping to ride the Spesh over the winter!
    - - - - - - - - - -
    On Strava.{/url}
  • brownbosh
    brownbosh Posts: 602
    Repair it under warranty, keep it as a winter hack. Sell the mountain bike use the cash from that towards a new nicer bike next year so you have a trainer and a nice one.
  • trickeyja
    trickeyja Posts: 202
    Thanks for the advice. Yes I do want to ride the bike over winter - but that's a good idea to keep it as a winter hack. There's not much point buying a brand new bike now if I'm going to trash it on the awful winter roads! I'll see what my other LBS says on Tuesday, and go from there.

    Cycling is too addictive. I always feel like I need another bike!!
  • trickeyja
    trickeyja Posts: 202
    Yes they're Tiagra shifters! It's encouraging to know I'm not the only one.

    I'm pretty gutted about the dent in my bike but hopefully it will still be ridable.
  • Monty Dog
    Monty Dog Posts: 20,614
    You don't seem to be very good at looking after the current one - it would appear that a new bike would end up in the same state within a short period of time.
    Make mine an Italian, with Campagnolo on the side..
  • topdude
    topdude Posts: 1,557
    You don't seem to be very good at looking after the current one - it would appear that a new bike would end up in the same state within a short period of time.

    +1 Harsh but true :wink:
    He is not the messiah, he is a very naughty boy !!
  • kingrollo
    kingrollo Posts: 3,198
    topdude wrote:
    You don't seem to be very good at looking after the current one - it would appear that a new bike would end up in the same state within a short period of time.

    +1 Harsh but true :wink:

    or perhaps he does a lot miles.

    My son was gutted when his bike got scratched recently. I told him i would rather it get scratched, then sit in the garage in pristine condition.
  • trickeyja
    trickeyja Posts: 202
    I've been doing about 5k miles a year and keeping the bike as well maintained as I can. I had a problem with the wheels earlier this year but they were replaced under a warranty claim so the manufacturer accepted responsibility. The shifter looks to be the same too. I'm really angry about the dent on the bike because I've got no idea how it happened - I haven't crashed, dropped or otherwise harmed the bike and it certainly didn't happen when I was using it. The only possible explanation I can think of is that since I keep the bike at the bottom of our stairs that something may have fallen onto and dented the top tube.

    The bike is at the LBS so I can't show you the dent.

    Perhaps I should just give up, learn how to drive and buy a car/motorbike :(

    I would like to add my '05 Hardrock Pro which I used a lot in harsh weather conditions, snow, rain, wind etc is still in good condition, and the only repair it has needed was a bottom bracket replacement. No damage to the frame etc. Yes it's a mountain bike but still I wouldn't expect a road frame to dent so easily.

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